The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1887-04-26

tect this city. this island will again become an
important post Guns of caliber and pene-
trative power equal to those possessed by
foreign nations must be- made. To accommo-
date these weapons it will be requisite to demol-
ish the present obsolete Notifications. and to
reconstruct them in manner suitable 10 receive
the modern guns. The labor of army prisoners
might be utilized whenever the building of new
forts is commenced, and the enormous expense
of their maintenance would be in a measure
recouped. Briefly stated. A.catraz is valueless
as q fertilization to defend the city OF San
Francisco.
The prison where military offenders ara con-
fined is located upon the northeast side of the
island. Beyond the fact that sentries are patrol
ing In its vicinity, there is nothing at the exte
rior to indicate that the buildings used for
the purpose of Incarceration A wel-lighted
hall with long tables and furniture serves as the
prisoners mess room. The kitchen. a model OF
cleanliness and order, opens out of this hail. and
so far as the provisions served to the men are
concerned they of the best. The cells are
rather small and contain nothing but mattress
and blankets. and by handy mechanical con-
trlvance the doors are opened and closed stimuli
taneously. Prisoners are treated in a very con-
slderate manner at this post They are
not Obliged to go into their cells before 9 P. NJ.
and have free access to spacious ROOM which
serves the double purpose of library and chapel
A division into three grades is made among the
prisoners distingnishable by red. white aud blue
bands upon their head-gear. Desertion is the
offense which has caused the confinement of the
majority of the men now at Alcatraz prison.
Among the prisoners are several mechanics
including carpenters, shoemakers and painters
They are allowed to work for anyone, either be-
longing to the army or private individuals who
may wish to give them orders. The cost of ma
terial is charged to them by the auartermasters
department, and any profit accruing is placed to
the prison relief fund Congress at its last ses-
sion appropriated funds to provide army prison
with suit of civilian clothing when they are
liberated, and the prison fund is utilized to give
them s. on their release.
When General Mcdowell was commanding the
division of the Pacific, the labor of the prisoners
was utilized to improve the Preside grounds.
but at the present time their work is confined
to general labor at the various army posts
rounding the harbor. Several of the men, be-
cause of good conduct, are permitted to act as
clerks. driving teams. and perform other than
manual labor. AT Fort Leavenworth prison
each man is compelled to work at trade, but at
Alcatraz, even if sentenced to hard labor, a
prisoners services cannot be utilized there is
hardly any work of Importance to be done.
Some years ago the prisoners excavated a large
amount of rock at the extremity of the island
bringing the land down TO the one-hundred foot
level but the fund for purchasing powder and
fuse gave out and the WORK was and has been
suspended Perhaps in the dim future, when
any new Notifications commenced, their
services will again be utilized.